Elis Fall to Pioneers in Close Match-Up

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Yale men's fencing team will look to rebound after dropping a 13-14 heartbreaker to Sacred Heart at home in Payne Whitney Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

The Jan. 19 match-up in New Haven, Conn., was the Bulldogs' first meet of the spring, and nonetheless included some strong performances by several Yale fencers. Freshman Brian Wang and sophomore Hugh O'Cinneide both posted impressive 3-0 records over the course of the afternoon.

Yale's epee and sabre squads both won a 5-4 verdict, but the foil squad's 3-6 split put the final outcome at 13-14.

"While the result was disappointing, the meet provides an opportunity to improve upon our weaknesses prior to fencing more important matches," said junior captain Cornelius Saunders.

Saturday's result adds to a history of close match-ups between the Bulldogs and Pioneers: in 2011, the Elis lost 14-13 to Sacred Heart.

Still, this weekend's match will also help the Yale team prepare for the Jan. 27-28 NYU Invitational, an event at which the Bulldogs posted a 3-2 result last year. Following the New York event, the Elis will take on Vassar in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Feb. 2.

"Regardless of the recent loss, I am confident that the team is capable of having a great season," Saunders said. "We have a very talented squad."

The season will culminate in the Feb. 9-10 Ivy League Championship, held this year at Harvard in Cambridge, Mass.